2023-2024 Board Members & Library Staff Liaison
Stephanie Berk
A major part of my childhood, growing up in Cambridge, was spent at the Library. It continues to be one of my favorite places, as is true for my kids. I founded and ran a Metro-Boston residential cleaning company for two decades. My employees were recent immigrants all in need of language fluency. CPL was a haven for them, their kids and extended families. I remain involved with several Cambridge non-profit agencies and committed in support of refugees and DACA immigrants. CPL is a wonderful paragon of what makes Cambridge a great city.
Catherine Bird
My husband and I moved to Cambridgeport in 1996. I credit my mum for helping to develop my lifelong love of reading and libraries. I am heartened by the incredible ability of our libraries to adapt and evolve, to remain relevant and important to our communities. After being a Friend for many years, I an excited to join the Board to help support the Cambridge Public Library system. A true bookworm, I would always rather be reading.
Alea Challenger
Access to reading is a passion of mine. My books and library cards continue to be my dearest possessions. As a teen, I was lucky enough to be selected to participate in the Cedar Rapids Public Library's, my home library in Iowa, rebuilding efforts to establish a new library after a flood destroyed the library in 2008. When I moved to Cambridge to attend Harvard in 2015, I found the Cambridge Public Library a haven away from campus. I am honored to serve on the Friends Board to support the Library's projects and programs. I enjoy reading, attending author events, baking, and volunteering with the Prison Book Program.
Nancy Chen
Growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, I was lucky to have access to two amazing libraries - the Cleveland Public Library and the Hudson Library & Historical Society. Almost every weekend, my family and I would spend hours at the library browsing the extensive book selection. This ignited my love for reading and libraries - the best weekends and school breaks were spent working through my pile of books. Since moving to Cambridge in 2009 to attend MIT, I have continued to seek out the Library, both through its physical and digital presence. I look forward to keeping the Library a magical place for the Cambridge community.
Terry Delancey
My first experience with Cambridge Public Library was more than 30 years ago bringing children to the bookmobile parked near a neighborhood playground. The Library has been a resource in my work and a joy in my life ever since. I am retired from my position as Executive Director of Agassiz Baldwin Community, a job I held for over 30 years. I still spend many hours at the Library, in book groups, on art activities and working on many community projects.
Ifedayo Omotunde
When I was in elementary school, my small local library had a two-book borrowing limit. Being a clever young kid, I would sneak extra books out of the library. At the time, I thought I was being quite crafty. It wasn't until later that I realized the librarian was simply indulging the whims of a child who loved to read. My appreciation for books and learning led me to Harvard University, where I read, studied, and worked at Widener Library. Over time, I've developed a passion for serving local communities and promoting youth literacy, much like my librarian did for me. When I'm not working with Friends, you can find me walking my dog, playing soccer, and trying new things.
Samantha Powers
As a lifelong reader, the first thing I did when I moved to Cambridge was join the library. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of my hometown library in Fairfield, CT. When I misbehaved, my mom would threaten to take my books away! I am honored to work with The Friends to support the library and all the wonderful resources it provides to the Cambridge community. I didn’t realize until I joined the board just how much the library does - it’s a lot more than just books! When I am not reading I love to cook, ski, travel and walk my dog Frankie around Harvard Yard.
Robert Rendon
As a person who values the power of reading and education, I often found myself visiting the local library branches in the Somerville/Cambridge neighborhoods in which I was living. For me, the Cambridge Public Library has especially been for me a symbol for empowerment and education. That is why I am honored to work with The Friends to support the Library, so that other individuals can benefit from the Library’s resources like I have.
M.K. Wong
As a native New Yorker, one of my favorite activities as a child was going to our neighborhood library to borrow books from my school's summer reading list. Since then, I’ve never stopped enjoying where a good book can take me, and now share my love of many authors with my father! As manager of a gift store and studio teaching Nantucket Basket Weaving, I have gotten to know many members of the Cambridge community. Wanting to become more involved in the community led me to the Friends Board of the Cambridge Public Library. I frequently stop by the Library after work or on my days off to peruse the shelves and enjoy the quiet open space. Much of my volunteer work has been helping organizations create special events to engage the greater community. I look forward to working with the Library to further its mission.
Maria McCauley, Director of Libraries and Board Member Ex Officio
Maria McCauley has served as Director of Libraries for the City of Cambridge since August 2016. She began her library career 17 years ago at the Cambridge Public Library in Circulation and Reference Services. Before returning to Cambridge, Maria served as the Director of Libraries in Santa Monica, Director of Libraries for the City of Somerville, and held several library positions at Northeastern University.
Maria received a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh and has received her PhD from Simmons. She is an elected American Library Association (ALA) Councilor-At-Large. Her research has been published in College & Research Libraries, Library Management and portal.